This week, she's preparing another batch of single malt whisky to start the aging process. The next batch, about 50 litres per distillation, will be available for sale sometime in the next year, she said. Each bottle sells for $95.

The Eau Claire Distillery has produced Alberta's first single malt whisky. (Dave Will/CBC)

Quinn moved as a young child to Scotland with her family. As a young adult, she studied chemistry before taking a master's of science degree in brewing and distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.

She made the move to Alberta for the opportunity to be inventive with her creations, starting early in her career.

"There's a lot more wiggle room," Quinn said. "The Scotch whisky industry is so old and set in its ways, like there's so many rules.

"Here, it's all a brand new industry. The craft distilling industry is just kicking off, so there's no preconceived notions of what a single malt should taste like here."

The Eau Claire Distillery serves a number of spirits in Turner Valley, Alta. (Dave Will/CBC)

At the distillery in southern Alberta, she has produced creative spirits such as a seasonal Christmas gin using spices of frankincense and myrrh.

Quinn's highly successful single malt whisky uses former sherry casks, similar to the Scottish industry, but as a lighter blend with notes of fruit and oak, and a hint of sherry.

"We're hoping to introduce new whisky drinks with the approachable nature of our whisky," she said.